Columbus – More Beautiful Old Homes

Columbus, GA – Muscogee County – We recently looked at several of the oldest homes in Columbus here, and this week we’ll be visiting homes built after 1870, lots of Victorian and Classic Revival style homes.

I love this shotgun cottage! Just looks so welcoming – built circa 1880-1890s, there are several of these original tiny homes. All the Victorian detailing makes this stand out, and to me nothing is more southern than ferns hanging on the front porch during the summer!

Shotgun Cottage

Columbus has grown a lot over the years, but it’s encouraging to see how preservation-minded folks can continue to save old homes from progress. There are several homes that have been moved and restored, let’s take a look at a before and after.

BEFORE Photo – James A Walton House (from HABS)

The James A Walton house was built in 1890. The old photo above shows additions on the house – and below you can see just how amazing this home looks today after its move and renovation.

AFTER Photo – James A. Walton House

The Blackmar-Ellis House was originally built as a Victorian home in 1884 for John Blackmar. It was redesigned by Henrietta Dozier in 1912 – she was the first female architect in Georgia and the first woman in the south to receive formal architectural training!
When I posted this house picture on Instagram, it was a treat to hear from some of the descendants of the Blackmar-Ellis family. At one time there was an antiques store in the house, and it’s now a pediatrics office! John Blackmar’s daughter, Susie Blackmar Ellis, her husband John T. Ellis and family lived here until her death in 1981.

Blackmar-Ellis House, circa 1900

Another Victorian home that was moved is the William P. Hunt House. Here you can see the “before” photo of the house.

Before Photo – Hunt House

And after the move, this 1880 home is a Victorian showplace!

After Photo – William P. Hunt House

The Garrett-Bullock House is a feast of details for the eyes – there are details on nearly every single inch of this beautiful home. It was built in the early 1880s by Col. Joseph Simpson Garrett, who was postmaster as well as a prominent businessman. The house remained a private residence until the 1980s.

Garrett-Bullock House

The Shepherd-Feimster House sits way off the road…as I read up on the house, I found out that the house was originally located a lot closer to the road. It was moved back 100 feet on the lot and enlarged around 1910. Can you imagine how hard it must have been to move a house without all the machinery we have today?

Shepherd-Feimster House, built 1888

The Henry Lindsay Woodruff House stayed in the family for a while. Their son James Waldo Woodruff and his wife, the former Ethel Illges lived here. A radio station (WRBL 1420AM) once called this home!

Henry Lindsay Woodruff House

Built 1887-1890, the Bullard-Hart-Sampson House is one of the most extravagant in Columbus. The house was built for prominent physician Dr. William L. Bullard, who was a pioneer in Ear, Nose and Throat specialization. This is a house with history – Franklin D Roosevelt announced his plans to reenter politics from the parlor of this house (he was being treated in nearby Warm Springs, where the FDR’s Little White House is located).
The current owners, Dr and Mrs Lloyd B Sampson have owned the home since 1978. While stationed at Ft Benning in 1972, Gloria Sampson fell in love with the Victorian homes in the area. She was sketching this house when she met the current owner and toured the house. Several years later, while living in California, they got a call that the house would be for sale and had three days to respond!

Bullard-Hart-Sampson House

Here’s a look inside the house – the entry hall is 30 feet high – look at all the woodwork and detailing in this house. There’s so many textures going on – the house even has Lincrusti Walton wallpaper – the very heavy, embossed/textured wallpaper that became very popular during the late Victorian era.

Bullard House Foyer Details (from NRHP Listing)

Rankin House was started around 1860, but not completed for another decade due to the Civil War. This is now home to the Historic Columbus Foundation. The iron grillwork on this house is just amazing. Interestingly, back in 1898 the house was valued at $18,500 – the highest of any house in the city!

Rankin House

This one caught my eye with the many different angles and colors on it. And I love the porch!

Along South Broadway

This shotgun house stopped me in my tracks. With all the Victorian details you forget it’s a tiny house!

Another great shotgun house

The home above was built in 1912 for John Paul Illges and his family. It remained in the family until around 1942. Mr. Illges had many financial and business interests around Columbus, including being Chief Executive of Golden’s Foundry and Machine Company. Golden’s is still in business and still held by the descendents of the 3 original founders!

John Paul Illges House

Columbus has a rich history, and many beautiful homes around town. I can’t wait to visit again! Thanks so much for reading the blog, I really appreciate it!